As international concern grows over attacks on Christian communities in India, 21Wilberforce President Wissam al-Saliby offered perspective on the broader trends driving persecution and the urgent need for churches worldwide to respond. The Baptist Standard article below, reprinted with attribution, includes his comments.
Kendall Lyons/Baptist Standard
MIDAPALLI, India—Villagers in Midapalli, located in the Gadchiroli District of India’s Maharashtra State, demolished the homes of four Christian families Jan. 12, amid an ongoing campaign of threats and violence against the village’s Christian community.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported tensions rose on Jan. 11, when 25 villagers confronted four families and two others to force them to renounce their faith.
Reports go on to say a mob of at least 20 villagers attacked the families, demanding the victims renounce their faith as they demolished the houses of those families.
On Jan. 13, victims tried to file a complaint at the Kawande Police Station, but police took the side of the mob, according to the report. The officer in charge threatened Christian families, “questioned their decision to embrace Christianity as members of a tribal community,” and warned “their unique identity cards and ration supplies would be cancelled.”
Mervyn Thomas, founder and president of CSW, called for intervention over the incident.
“It is deeply concerning to witness the grave and unacceptable assault and humiliation these families have been subjected to on account of their religion,” Thomas said. “Even more alarming is the failure of the police to protect these vulnerable citizens, which has emboldened the perpetrators.”
“We call upon the district administration and state authorities to intervene as a matter of urgency, ensuring the safety of the affected families, restoring their rights, compensating them for the loss of their homes, and holding those responsible to account under the law,” Thomas added.
Call to come alongside
Wissam al-Saliby, president of 21Wilberforce, called on churches around the world to come alongside their Christian brothers and sisters in India
“Anti-conversion laws have been on the books for decades in several Indian states. However, communal relations have worsened since 2014, even in states where Christians enjoyed greater freedom and good relations with their neighbors,” al-Saliby said.